Quality prediction and crack occurrence minimization tool for continuous steel casting

article in a collection out of WoS and Scopus

en

The continuous steel casting process can be described these days in detail by using complex mathematical numerical models which put together different process parameters that affect the casting. With the use of crack formation knowledge base that was built up in the past decades, available extensive reports on casting parameter settings with recorded semiproducts quality, conclusions about the steel casting quality can be made in real-time with adequate precision. In this work, we come up with the combination of the solidification temperature model and the mechanical stress-strain distribution model to evaluate the so-called crack formation criteria that can cause degradation of the final product. Together with the knowledge base about the optimization techniques, especially focused on modifying the casting speed and adjusting the cooling water-air nozzles in secondary cooling zones with precisely calculated heat transfer coefficients, the adjustments towards defect-free casting can be utilized. Employing all these knowledge could allow us to instantly decide whether the semiproduct coming out of the continuous casting machine (CCM) is of a good quality or contains some defects. Complex process relationships between the casting parameters that affect the product quality are analysed. All these improvements can inseparably contribute to increasing production and to energy savings while there is no energy needed for reheating the semiproduct after it is cooled down and assessed for further processing.

The continuous steel casting process can be described these days in detail by using complex mathematical numerical models which put together different process parameters that affect the casting. With the use of crack formation knowledge base that was built up in the past decades, available extensive reports on casting parameter settings with recorded semiproducts quality, conclusions about the steel casting quality can be made in real-time with adequate precision. In this work, we come up with the combination of the solidification temperature model and the mechanical stress-strain distribution model to evaluate the so-called crack formation criteria that can cause degradation of the final product. Together with the knowledge base about the optimization techniques, especially focused on modifying the casting speed and adjusting the cooling water-air nozzles in secondary cooling zones with precisely calculated heat transfer coefficients, the adjustments towards defect-free casting can be utilized. Employing all these knowledge could allow us to instantly decide whether the semiproduct coming out of the continuous casting machine (CCM) is of a good quality or contains some defects. Complex process relationships between the casting parameters that affect the product quality are analysed. All these improvements can inseparably contribute to increasing production and to energy savings while there is no energy needed for reheating the semiproduct after it is cooled down and assessed for further processing.

Continuous casting, Quality prediction, Crack formation, Thermal model, Mechanical model, Optimization

30.08.2021

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